Indochine

Gold-leafed pagodas glinting in the tropical sun, straw-roofed sampans drifting down tranquil rivers, ornate royal capitals, shy young monks draped in saffron-colored robes—our journey to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia brings us into an ancient world of stunning beauty and vibrant traditional cultures. We get a glimpse into daily life as we meet a mosaic of intriguing peoples in their villages, schools, homes, and temples, and discover irresistible settings like Luang Prabang in the heart of the old Lao kingdom, breathtaking Halong Bay, with its emerald waters and stunning rock formations, and Hoi An, Vietnam’s beautiful 17th century trading port, now a World Heritage Site. Our journey ends at glorious Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s surreal, jungle-shrouded city of temples.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Luang Prabang, Laos

The ancient royal capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is a regal town of gilded temples encircled by mountains. Here, we stroll the atmospheric streets, visit 15th century temples, boat up the winding Mekong River to the Buddhist caves at Pak Ou, and explore villages of the Hmong and Khamu hilltribes. On the afternoon of Day 4 we fly to Hanoi.

Days 5-6
Hanoi, Vietnam

In this thousand-year-old city on the Red River, a bicycle rickshaw is the ideal way to explore the narrow streets of the 15th century Old Quarter. Our visits include the studio of a renowned Hanoi artist.

Day 7
Private Junk on Halong Bay

A World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is a magical setting of thousands of sheer limestone islands jutting out of a jade-green sea. Our overnight cruise aboard a traditional junk gives us the chance to capture the evening and early morning vistas of this ethereal setting.

Days 8-9
Hue

In Hue, Vietnam’s ancient cultural capital, we visit the majestic Royal Tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty, journey by private “dragon boat” up the Perfume River, explore the Thien Mu Pagoda, and roam the Dong Ba Market.

Days 10-12
Danang / Hoi An / Saigon

A spectacular drive along a magnificent coastline brings us to the riverside town of Hoi An, an enchanting place where the sense of the past is ever present. We explore narrow streets with well-preserved 17th century architecture dating to the time when the town was a trading port in silk and porcelain, and sample delicious cao lau noodles, unique to Hoi An. On Day 12, discover intriguing Saigon.

Days 13-16
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We explore Angkor Wat, a magnificent monument to Khmer civilization, with its hundreds of intricately carved temples scattered across a tropical landscape. Depart from Siem Reap on the afternoon of Day 16.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 1+, or easiest. It is an overland cultural adventure, and for the most part, physical activity is light but we still encourage participants to get in shape for the trip because travel to remote places does require some physical stamina. Please note that you are visiting areas where tourism has been relatively limited. We ask that you make a special effort to bring flexibility and a spirit of adventure to this unique journey.

Explanation of Trip Levels